Residents are being asked to have their say on the plans. They have until Wednesday, January 10 to do this.

Now all this planning babble can be a little complicated, so we have fished out seven key issues to help you get to grips with what is proposed.

1. Around 3,300 new homes could be built to the south-west of Nailsea

This is the largest of the housing projects suggested as part of the new homes plan.

Not only will it bring 3,300 new homes to the area, but it will also have the added infrastructure necessary to sustain all the new residents.

The constraints to the Nailsea housing plan (Image: North Somerset Council)

A local centre with employment opportunities and schools will also be built to cater for those living in the area.

North Somerset Council is also trying to ensure that local heritage is protected throughout, and will also be working hard to ensure surface water run-off remains under control.

2. A new or improved road may be built to connect Nailsea with the M5

With all these new homes planned for just south-west of Nailsea, this will obviously bring with it a considerable increase in traffic.

The council has planned for this, however. A new or improved road could be built to connect Nailsea with the M5 and keep commuter traffic of the country lanes.

As well as this, highway connections to the A370 near Backwell and the Long Ashton bypass are proposed.

For those commuting to Bristol, a MetroBus service will be set up and the Nailsea/Backwell bus station improved.

3. Around 700 new homes could be built to the west of Backwell

This is the smallest of the proposed housing projects, but would still bring with it a considerable change of pace to the area surrounding the village.

A possible new primary school may be created to cater for the new residents and station improvements could be made at Nailsea and Backwell train station.

The constraints to the Backwell housing project

There are also plans to create a new route between the A370 and Nailsea and a MetroBus connection to Bristol.

The council is working hard to ensure that heritage features, including Chelvey and the west town conservation area are protected.

The lesser horseshoe bat habitat will also be protected and enhanced as part of the proposals.

4. A garden village of about 1,900 homes could be built north of Banwell

This would be separate to Banwell itself, and will be an entirely new community.

Garden villages are entirely new communities created to cater for a demand for housing.

They are typically smaller settlements of between 1,500 and 10,000 homes. Garden towns, on the other hand, will be settlements of more than 10,000 homes.

The constraints map for the Banwell housing project (Image: North Somerset Council)

As part of the new community, a road to the A38, including a Banwell bypass, could be created to help the local area cope with the increased traffic flow.

Improvements to cycle and footpaths in Banwell and Weston-super-Mare may also be carried out.

5. A new junction could be created along the M5 near Banwell

As a result of the garden village proposed near Banwell, a new junction along the M5 may be created.

This would be built near J21, and might be called J21a.

The proposed new M5 junction (Image: North Somerset Council)

6. A garden village of 2,800 homes could be built to the north-west of Churchill and Langford

This is the larger of the two garden villages proposed. A village centre will be built, new primary schools and new employment opportunities will be created.

To cope with the added traffic, a new link to the A38 will be built with an improved junction at the A368 / A38.

The constraints map for Churchill (Image: North Somerset Council)

New foot and cycle links, including improved access to Strawberry Line, may also be created.

7. There are drop-in sessions available for you to attend

Of course, all these proposals are still very much in their early stages. North Somerset Council wants to hear what the local community thinks of the plans.

The new Local Plan document, which provides detailed policies, additional housing, employment and other land allocations up to 2036, is now up for discussion.

The plan was developed with of the three other West of England authorities – South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset and Bristol.

It makes up part of a joint plan, known as a Joint Spatial Plan, which aims to address the future housing, business, transport and wider infrastructure needs for the whole of the West of England area up to 2036.